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Late last month, Google announced it would block the Play Store and Google Play Services from running on ‘uncertified’ devices. This was meant to keep OEMs from sideloading the Play Store on devices not approved by Google. The company offered a way for custom ROM users to register their devices, but it was a complicated process, because the registration page didn’t actually provide instructions.
Since then, Google has been making tweaks to the process, and now two annoying requirements have been removed.
Providing children and others access to your Mac can be an issue if left unmonitored, as giving free reign could cause the younger users to see inappropriate material or perform unwanted actions that could drastically affect the Mac’s performance. AppleInsider explains how to use the Parental Controls already built into macOS to limit what can be done on accounts. AppleInsider – Frontpage News
Facebook is still determined to reassure jittery users in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica data sharing scandal, and that now includes restricting what advertisers can do. The social network is closing down a Partner Categories service that let t… Engadget RSS Feed
WhatsApp is one of a few messaging platforms that lets you delete a message after you’ve sent it. Skype is another one worth mentioning, though we’re sure that far more people actually use WhatsApp. The messenger platform introduced the feature back in October of last year and allows someone to delete a message “.for everyone” within 7 minutes of the message being sent. Of course, the recipient(s) would not see the message, but would see a message deleted’ placeholder replace the deleted message. WhatsApp has quietly updated this time window of which you may delete a message after…
In the wake of the tragic mass shooting that took place in Parkland, Florida last month, Americans are yet again calling for change. Many, including a group of vocal students, are demanding legislation to curb gun sales in the hope that such reform might prevent similar shootings in the future.
In the absence of formal legislation, some major companies have taken it upon themselves to address the nation’s lukewarm gun control policies. Here are four ways that companies have gone about limiting the visibility of guns and their proponents, or even restricted access to them.
Activists don’t just want politicians to sever ties with the NRA — they want organizations of all sizes to do so, too. So far, multiple companies have elected to do so, including included Delta, United Airlines, MetLife, and Avis. In doing so, they eliminate discounts and various other benefits that NRA members previously enjoyed. Following Delta’s decision, Georgia lawmakers have come down hard the company (headquartered in Atlanta), threatening to eliminate an impending tax break that is poised to save Delta tens of millions of dollars.
Raising the Age Requirement
Following the Parkland shooting, Dick’s Sporting Goods announced that it would no longer sell assault rifles or high-capacity magazines in its store. It would also require buyers to be at least 21 years old, despite federal laws allowing people as young as 18 to buy semiautomatic rifles and other firearms.
The public’s reaction has been mixed. While some people have praised the company for its new policies, others have claimed that it was a disingenuous PR stunt, according to The New York Times. Some consumers have even boycotted the retailer — one NYT reader claimed that people no longer “realize what the second amendment is about.” 20-year-old Taylor Watson from Oregon is now suing Dick’s for refusing to sell him a gun, claiming that the store discriminated against him because of his age.
After Dick’s changed the age at which customers can purchase guns, Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, quickly followed suit, announcing on February 28 that consumers had to be at least 21 to purchase a firearm in-store. Walmart said this was part of its decision “to review our policy on firearm sales.” The company website will also be removing products resembling items that resemble assault rifles, such as air-soft guns and toy guns.
Walmart also noted that it had stopped selling sporting rifles, including the AR-15 assault rifle, back in 2015, and doesn’t sell bump stocks, high-capacity magazines or similar accessories that could be used to augment a firearm.
“We take seriously our obligation to be a responsible seller of firearms and go beyond Federal law by requiring customers to pass a background check before purchasing any firearm,” Walmart said in the press release.
Oregon’s Watson is also suing Walmart under similar claims of “age discrimination.”
Removing Guns From the Conversation
Popular dating app Bumble has also entered the fray. In March 2018, Bumble announced that users will no longer be allowed to post images of firearms (users with military or law enforcement backgrounds who appear with guns while in uniform are exempt).
Bumble CEO and founder Whitney Wolfe Herd told Time the new policy was intended to make guns seem less alluring. “We don’t want guns to be romanticized,” explained Herd. “It was time to stake a stand.”
Most people have responded positively to the company’s ban, Herd said, but there had been a number of negative comments and threats. It’s unfortunate, but Bumble probably wasn’t for those users anyway, Herd added.
“The way they reacted shows that having someone who is willing to be abusive like that probably isn’t good for our ecosystem,” she said.
Whether these companies have implemented new policies based on their own values or if they are simply the result of good business sense, it’s clear that businesses are stepping up where some members of the public feel their government representatives have failed. The coming years will likely show whether efforts such as these actually have an impact on the number of guns in circulation — or on the number of mass shootings that happen in the United States.
The Google Drive desktop client isn’t very great (at least on Windows), and if you want to access a file, it has to be stored on your computer at all times. Google announced a new client called ‘Drive File Stream’ last year, which adds all your files to your computer, but only downloads the data when you want to open something (similar to OneDrive on Windows 8). Unfortunately, Drive File Stream is only available to G Suite users, so us normal people can’t try it out.
Apple has made it easier for developers to show off their app in App Store listings for the iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and Apple Watch, by increasing the maximum number of screenshots that can be included in a product page to 10 images per device. AppleInsider – Frontpage News
Director Robert Rodriguez has been teasing a virtual reality video project for a while, and now it's clear just what it entails. He's partnering with STX on The Limit, a short-form VR action series starring long-time collaborator Michelle Rodriguez… Engadget RSS Feed
There are two different ways to lock your HomePod from outside access — restricting access to AirPlay only, disabling messages, reminders and notes. AppleInsider shows you how to access and control both of these. AppleInsider – Frontpage News


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NOTTINGHAM Rugby sponsor, Hall-Fast Industrial
Supplies has won the Business of the Year award at the
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce awards
Nottinghamshire Best Business awards.
Winners of the awards were announced on Friday 12 October at a
glittering ceremony held at the Nottingham Belfry Hotel.
The Nottinghamshire Best Business Awards 2012 awards recognise
business excellence and are undoubtedly one of the region's most
prestigious business awards schemes.
Commenting, Managing Director Malcolm Hall (pictured) said, "I
am really pleased to have won this title. For me, entering awards
isn't about the personal glorification.
"It is about the credibility that can be gained to the benefit
of the company and the local community. Over the last three years
Hall-Fast Industrial Supplies have won nine awards and this has
helped raise our profile and win work which previously we might not
have been considered.
"We now export to over 75 countries and I think both of our
international customers and our local trade customers get a
tremendous sense of comfort knowing they are dealing with a company
that has been recognised locally, regionally and nationally. I also
do a lot to raise money for local charities and to support the
local community. This kind of profile makes the fund raising
process much easier."
Hall-Fast have recently moved to new premises onAnglia Wayin
Masnfield and has spent £270,000 kitting out the new trade shop
which will be officially opened on Friday 26 October by Tony
Eggington, Mayor of Mansfield.
All trade customers are welcome to call in between 9am and 5pm
to see what the new shop has to offer and watch various product
demonstrations from Karcher, Dickies, Snickers and DeWalt, plus
many other leading brands in workwear, access equipment, tools and

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National Logistics Service (NLS), an industry-leading freight brokerage provider located in Colerain Township, Ohio, announces it is expanding operations with the addition of 50 new jobs over the next three years. JobsOhio and REDI Cincinnati are providing support for the project, which is projected to bring an additional $2.9M in payroll to the Cincinnati region.
“We would like to thank REDI Cincinnati and JobsOhio for assisting us through this process,” said National Logistic Service CEO Brandon Albright and vice president of sales Blake Niemeyer in a joint statement. “They were extremely helpful and easy to work with from start to finish. We would also like to thank our employees, without their commitment, hard work and dedication to our carriers, customers and company this would not be possible. NLS is always looking for hard-working, dedicated people who enjoy working in a team environment and want control over their own earning potential.”
As a third-party freight broker, NLS supports businesses across the continental United States and Canada through its straightforward approach to logistics and transportation, which are vital components in today’s global economy.
Evidenced by its recognition in four out of the last five years on the Cincinnati Business Courier’s list of finalists for the Fast 55 awards, which honors the 55 most rapidly growing companies in the Cincinnati region, NLS has been on a rapid-growth trajectory. In order to continue delivering customer value through its industry-leading personal service and meet growing customer demand, NLS is expanding operations through this growth and is adding positions in sales, front office, accounting, finance and human resources.
Support from JobsOhio and REDI Cincinnati will assist NLS in onboarding and training the new employees.
“National Logistics Service is a young, rapidly growing Ohio company that is serving its customers throughout North America,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO. “With this expansion, NLS will create 50 new jobs and more than double its workforce to meet growing demand, further strengthening Ohio’s reputation as a global logistics leader.”
“The Cincinnati region is a prime location for companies looking to grow and expand, and NLS not only fits the category of growing companies itself, but it is also capable of serving other expanding businesses,” said Kevin Donnelly, REDI Cincinnati’s vice president for project management. “As a logistics company based in Colerain Township, NLS is an important member of our robust logistics & distribution ecosystem, which features over 100,000 industry workers that serve 60% of the U.S. population residing within a day’s drive of the Cincinnati region. We are proud to support NLS as it expands here in the Cincinnati market and would like to extend our gratitude to Colerain Township for their continued partnership.”
About National Logistics Service
NLS relies on its diverse backgrounds and experience in the logistics industry to provide an unsurpassed customer experience. We are a unique team, built from the ground up. We are extremely motivated and knowledgeable individuals, giving us the ability to manage all facets of the logistics industry with unparalleled expertise. Our mission in life is to arrange all of our customers’ transportation needs so they can focus on what they do best.
About REDI Cincinnati
The Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) Cincinnati is the first point-of-contact for companies locating or growing in the 16-county region at the heart of southwest Ohio, northern Kentucky, and southeast Indiana. REDI Cincinnati is supported by top business leaders and community partners and staffed by a team of economic development experts who are uniting the Cincinnati region to compete globally.
The future is bright, and we’re building it, right now. Join us at REDICincinnati.com.
JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.


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Organic foods may be healthier for you, but they can have a sickening effect on your wallet.Here are five tips for going organic for less:
Produced without pesticides and other chemicals, organic produce, meat and dairy products can cost 50% to 100% more than their conventional counterparts, says Urvashi Rangan, a senior scientist and policy analyst with Consumer Reports' Greener Choices1. Despite those mark-ups, studies touting the health and environmental benefits of organic foods have made them more popular than ever before. More than 70% of consumers have at least one organic product on their shopping list, according to market research firm Hartman Group.
Yahoo Finance Article


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Well, more accurately, the company has a vast claim on limestone deposits, which is very exciting when you consider how vital the stuff is to the booming oil sands industry.
Up in Alberta, limestone comes in handy for several reasons. When crushed, it is used as aggregate, an ingredient of concrete and a base layer in road construction. Because limestone is largely composed of calcite, it's also used to derive calcium oxide -- better known as quick lime. This substance is key to reducing pollutants emitted by bitumen upgraders (the facilities that make oil sands refinable).
Though limestone is not particularly rare, it is scarce in this particular region of Alberta. Because the rock is so heavy, and thus expensive to transport, Birch Mountain has a great cost advantage in delivering the material to oil sands projects.
Birch Mountain just began producing limestone last year, hence the lack of historical revenue. But things are turning around fast, signaled by the company's first cash-flow positive quarter in Q1. A large purchase by an unidentified buyer followed in April, and then came this week's announcement of a three-year supply deal with Suncor
The fact that Birch's selling prices have risen from an average of C$3 per tonne last year to C$8 per tonne in the first quarter of this year should give you some idea of the urgency felt by oil sands producers to secure limestone. Combine that with the fact that Birch's quarry is running 24/7, and that Birch estimates that it has enough to meet two-thirds of the market demand for construction and base aggregates through 2060, and you have what looks to be a pretty compelling investment opportunity.
For related Foolishness:
Want some new stock ideas? Learn more about what Motley Fool CAPS players -- now 30,000 strong -- think of the company you're interested in.


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Everyone thinks of the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series when they hear Samsungâ€™s name, but those arenâ€™t what lifts the company to the top. Itâ€™s the mid-range and low-end devices that pick up the slack. Flagships sell well; however, itâ€™s the more affordable options that hold up the bottom line every quarter. Other categories, like tablets and wearables, are also where Samsung remains committed. The number of companies pushing out those types of products has dropped significantly, but the South Korean giant isnâ€™t leaving them behind anytime soon.
Hereâ€™s the breakdown of the projections:
Samsungâ€™s two biggest competitors arenâ€™t expected to reach anywhere close to those numbers. Apple and Huawei are likely to sell around 200 million and 150 million units, respectively. Those companies, though, donâ€™t have as diverse lineups as Samsung nor do they have a presence in as many markets.
Although premium phones arenâ€™t the money-driver, theÂ Korea Herald says Samsung will focus more on them rather than budget-friendly phones.
The same report also suggests the companyâ€™s foldable phone, known to some as the Galaxy X, will be teased near the end of 2018. The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy Note 9 would still be the marquee launches for the year, but the Galaxy X would spark interest in upcoming innovation. And itâ€™s those types of risks that Samsung needs to take in 2018 to hold its lead in the mobile industry.


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Drive Type: auto
Trim: MONZA SPYDER,
Goldsboro, North Carolina, United States
In case you missed it, Maserati has decided to introduce the world to its next Quattroporte well ahead of its official debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show in January. As expected, it's beautiful.
Not content to leave well enough alone, the Italian automaker has revealed a series of videos to go along with the six images and press release it had already let loose upon the globe's unsuspecting automotive press.
We're still a bit shaky on the details, but Maserati says the Quattroporte's new engine, assembled by Ferrari in Maranello, will "[establish] new benchmarks for Maserati in terms of power and acceleration." That sounds good to us, though we're not sure if that means 530 horsepower as possibly alluded to by the license plate on the press shots. We also note that the automaker says the car is designed to accept "a wide range of engine architectures," so that rumored supercharged V6 sounds likely.
As a following act to the redesigned Quattroporte and the recently unveiled 2014 Maserati Ghibli, Maserati will be releasing a slew of new products in the coming years, including the next-generation GranTurismo, the all-new Levante SUV and a new 911-fighting coupe - possibly called Gran Sport. While all of this information was detailed last year in a leaked product plan document, there were no dates associated with any of the new products. Auto Express is now reporting that the new GranTurismo will be out in 2015 and the new smaller coupe is expected out in 2016.
According to the report, the new coupe will be smaller and sportier than the GranTurismo, and it will feature a mid-engine layout with a platform that isn't shared with the Alfa Romeo 4C. This product onslaught is a part of Maserati's plan to increase sales to 50,000 units globally by 2015.
In July Fiat halted its investments in Italy, putting on hold plans for the Maserati Levante SUV to be built at the automaker's flagship factory in Turin. But Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, whose company owns Maserati, met with unions on Wednesday, and he may announce plans to move forward with production of the SUV at the Mirafiori factory if the CEO and the unions reach an agreement, Bloomberg reports.
Marchionne is reportedly about ready to build new cars at Fiat's largest and oldest factory, on the grounds that 5,300 workers accept extended temporary layoffs through most of next year in a slowing European auto market. If unions don't accept the deal, it's not clear whether Fiat would still consider building the Levante at Mirafiori or not.
The Levante, Maserati's first SUV, is based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, and we reported two years ago that it would be built in Detroit next to its Jeep cousin. Obviously those plans have been altered considerably in the intervening period of time.


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Bing keeps going on about this Scroogled thing. Now, they’ve put out a new video.
Accompanying the video on the search engine’s blog is the following explanation:
“Last week we launched the ‘Scroogled’ campaign to educate average people about what Google has done with their shopping site. Instead of showing you the most relevant shopping search results for the video game you’re looking to buy your kid, Google Shopping now decides what to show you based partially on how much the merchant selling the product has paid them. Merchants can literally pay to improve their chances to display their products higher than others inside of Google’s shopping “search,” even if it’s not less expensive for you. In that spirit, today we are releasing a new holiday themed animated video to help spread the word about what’s going on:”
Bing noted when the campaign launched that it was about Scrooge, rather than “getting screwed by Google,” but here we do hear that it’s not pronounced “Scrooge-led,” but more like “Screw-gled”.
Nothing like a little corporate holiday cheer.
Watch the original Scroogled video here.
Bing’s PR is also passing around this study by FusionGPS, which “analyzed the impact of Google’s recent changes to their shopping vertical.”


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Here’s what Sameer Samat, Android’s VP of Product Management, said:
“And there are many tasty devices coming from our partners running Android Nougat, including the upcoming LG V20 which will be the first new smartphone that ships with Android Nougat, right out of the box.”
There it is. LG will be ahead of Samsung, HTC, Lenovo, and the rest of the competition in having a Nougat-flavored phone on the market. The other companies will be updating their devices to Nougat, but we all know that’s not going to be for weeks or months. LG gets to proudly proclaim dominance in having the V20 running the latest version of Android by the time it launches in September with high expectations.
- September 6 is the date for LG to launch the V20
- LG V20 to have 5.7-inch display, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820
- The LG V20 is going to sound really good
Wait, don’t stop reading just yet! Google also showed what LG’s software will look like on the V20 with Nougat.
Alright, so the image isn’t very telling. It actually appears that the software is identical to what’s on the LG G5. Just use your imagination, though, think about what’s on the inside of the phone. LG is going to pair high-end specifications of the V20 with the abundance of new features Google is offering in Android 7.0 Nougat.
We’ll know exactly what the LG V20 looks like when the phone is announced on September 6 in San Francisco.


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In one session, the Environmental Director of the LEGO Group, Jes Faltum, explained how the company has implemented a policy aimed at making their packaging more sustainable. The three-step policy comprises a reduction in the size of product packaging, an increased use of recycled fibers, and the use of FSC certified fiber for all wood-based LEGO branded paper and packaging, including brand catalogues and in-store displays. Faltum explained how the company came to select FSC: “In 2011 we concluded FSC was the best fit for us. WWF advised us, and we liked the fact that FSC is perceived to be the gold standard in forest management certification. It was also important to us that Greenpeace is a member of FSC.”
Discussions of Faltum’s presentation focused on the importance of enrolling suppliers in such a new policy. David Byrtus of Model Holding AG, which supplies packaging materials to the LEGO Group, explained how his company was able to deliver 86 percent of packaging with FSC certification to LEGO within a year of the policy being implemented. “It was not complicated to implement FSC certification,” says Byrtus. “The challenge was to find certified suppliers.” But Model Holding was able to meet LEGO Group’s time frame by engaging with and convincing their existing suppliers to become FSC certified.
Another highlight of the conference was a session entitled ‘No Permanent Friends, No Permanent Enemies’, in which NGO collaborations and confrontations with the corporate sector were discussed. Daniel Mittler, Political Director of Greenpeace International, presented the organization’s rationale for campaigning against companies involved in environmentally unfriendly practices. “We do a hell of a lot of research,” he says, “and look for where we can have influence by identifying leverage points for change.” But Mittler made it clear that Greenpeace does not only criticize companies. “We are absolutely ready to praise you when you do the right thing.” Mittler says, adding that “Good partners can discuss.”
At the end of the conference, participants were offered a choice of field trips. While some visited the flagship store of classic Danish design producers Frederica Furniture, others went to see the FSC certified forests of Sӧdra in southern Sweden.
‘In Good Company’ is an important moment each year for FSC to engage with its market partners and other stakeholders. Marcelle Peuckert, Director of Business Development at FSC International, says “For FSC it is extremely valuable to hear from clients on what is happening in the market and what challenges companies are facing. If we want to achieve our mission to promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests, we need to listen to our business partners and have open discussions.”
Other conference sessions focused on consumer awareness and branding, NGO–business collaborations, media coverage and FSC certification, and branding.BACK TO OVERVIEW


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// Marks & Spencer announces the launch of Live Shopping through its website
// The series will launch with a focus on Marks & Spencer’s recently established activewear brand Goodmove
Marks and Spencer will be the first major UK retailer to launch a “live shopping” service that uses influencers to model outfits over a live video stream.
Facilitated by the retailer’s software partner Lisa, the weekly broadcasts will be hosted by an M&S expert where they can hear more about the ranges they’re browsing, ask questions through the live chat function, view product demonstrations, and most importantly, buy the products as they watch.
Customers will be able to ask questions while they watch from their mobile devices and “buy the look” in real time, as the retailer hopes to make the service “more relevant, more often” with its customers.
The new feature is fundamental to Marks and Spencer’s strategy to promote its fashion brands online and attract younger shoppers following the rise in sales from brands including Hobbs, Joules, Phase Eight and White Stuff during the festive period.
The series will launch with a focus on Marks & Spencer’s recently established activewear brand Goodmove, on January 28, followed by a broadcast on Valentine’s Day gift ideas.
Marks & Spencer director of online Stephen Langford said: “It’s a global trend that responds to how customers are using social media – we all know how much more we’re scrolling and engaging with video content – at home or on the go. Live shopping puts our experts front and centre and gives them the ideal platform to share the Marks & Spencer point of difference.”
Alongside the stream, viewers will have access to a click and collect format and online video consultations for homeware and clothing.


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Toms is asking people on Instagram to go bare below the ankles as a way to help get shoes to children in need.
The company is hoping a million people will participate in the #WithoutShoes campaign on Instagram by snapping a photo of their bare feet, and tens of thousands have so far since the hashtag launched on Tuesday.
Toms says that between now and May 21 it plans to send a free pair of shoes to a child in need for each person who uses the hashtag. This aligns with the company's usual business model of sending a free pair of shoes for every pair that's purchased, but with the #WithoutShoes campaign anyone can participate without having to spend money, USA Today reports.
So far, Toms has given away more than 35 million shoes to children in need all over the world, according to its website.
Click here to read more on this story at USAToday.com.


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It seems that MotoGP rider Johann Zarco is set to make his move to the KTM factory team in 2019. The latest rumour has indicated that the Frenchman has reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with the Austrian manufacturer. If this is true, Zarco will be a KTM factory rider and will ride their latest KTM RC16 … Continue reading MOTOGP: Johann Zarco to KTM factory team in 2019?
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- McDonald's shares yield over 3% even at current prices.
- The company can give most net income to shareholders because of the franchise model
- CEO Steve Easterbrook is shaking things up and getting results.
There remains a lot of bearish sentiment around McDonalds (NYSE:MCD) but it’s overdone. The company’s turnaround is very real. New CEO Steve Easterbrook has gotten franchisee buy-in to moves like all-day breakfast. He has gotten buzz back into the stores with new menu items. And he has gotten some bottom-line results.
The most recent earnings -- $1.3 billion in net income on $6.6 billion in revenue – represent a nearly 30% gain on net despite a 5% drop in revenue compared with the figures a year earlier. Easterbrook, in other words, is not wasting the shareholders’ money, yet the September revenue figure was still up 10% on the March quarter’s $5.9 billion. That’s real progress.
Even though the stock now carries a Price/Earnings multiple of nearly 25 it is still a steal, given that it has a yield of 3.1%. McDonald’s has put $3.11/share back into shareholders’ pockets, out of $4.63 in earnings. That short leash is possible because McDonald’s revenue represents only a fraction of what the restaurant is taking in. The actual business, 90% of it run by franchisees, may be 10 times bigger.
The franchise model means that McDonald’s gets a significant multiplier from the impact of changes made by franchisees. Most of it goes straight to the bottom line. Since Easterbrook became CEO in January, the stock is up 25%, with most of the gains coming since the August stock market bottoming.
The changes Easterbook has engineered, meanwhile, have barely begun. The new “McPick” option – two items out of a specific list for $2 – looks like a hit. The all-day breakfast option is helping results from the company’s McCafe line of coffee drinks, which compete with Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX). The company has begun retraining staff at its drive-thrus to reduce mistakes. The company has also begun testing a new “luxury” concept in overseas locations. Its thicker “signature burger” collection is expected to launch widely next year.
Just how far Easterbrook can go may be seen in the company’s UK stores, which he previously ran, and which have become showplaces for what is possible within the fast food format. There, the company gets consumer participation in its advertising, employees throw surprise parties for customers, and stores are redesigned regularly, sometimes with astonishing results.
What the UK experience shows is that Easterbrook is constantly trying things. He isn’t content, as the previous management was, to continue turning out rotten food with underpaid, inattentive staff. He is shaking things up, and the shake-up continued after his departure.
You may not like McDonalds stock at these levels, but personally I’m loving it.


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Do you own a card of one of the NFL’s smartest players? The answer is probably not.
This week, Baltimore Ravens center John Urschel revealed that he’s pursuing a doctorate in math at MIT with a focus on Spectral Graph Theory, Numerical Linear Algebra and Machine Learning.
You clearly know what those things are … right? But what you might not know is how few football cards he appears on.
Only Panini America and Upper Deck have made cards for the former Penn State standout. Upper Deck included him on four cards in its 2014 flagship football set — a standard card, Glossy parallel, an autograph and a Holofoil auto. Panini included him among its Father’s Day promo packs with a jersey card, a jersey auto and then jersey parallels in Cracked Ice and Lava Flow formats.
That’s it … eight cards.
His unique story might lead him to more cardboard appearances, though being an offensive lineman won’t help. He was a fifth-round pick in 2014 and started in seven games this past season for the Ravens and 10 total in his career. You can read more about him here.
Follow Buzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz or send email to BlowoutBuzz@ .


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Bashkiria’s GRP crossed the new border in 2014 - 1.3 trillion rubles
UFA, 12 March 2015. /Bashinform News Agency, Elvira Latypova/.
The Gross Regional Product (GRP) of Bashkortostan amounted to 1 trillion 343.9 billion rubles in 2014, exceeding the level of 2013 by 1.5 percent, according to the materials of the Ministry of Economic Development RB.
The planned landmark of 2014 (1 trillion 266.9 billion rubles) was exceeded by 6.1 percent.
The GRP per capita in Bashkortostan totaled 330.1 thousand rubles. On this parameter the republic is on the 26th place among the 85 subjects of the Russian Federation (in 2010 — on the 37th). The average GDP per capita is 485.8 thousand rubles.
"The growth of the gross regional product of the republic in 2014 was based on the one hand on positive trend in the industrial sector, investment activity, on the other hand — on domestic consumer demand, reflected in increase in the consumption of goods and services, as well as positive growth in agriculture", it is stated in the materials of the Ministry of Economic Development.
At the same time the second half of 2014 was characterized by lower oil prices, imposition of economic sanctions against Russia from the United States and the European Union, as well as devaluation of the ruble. "There is a slowdown in the economy in the republic, as well as in Russia", the Ministry reports.


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Global Logistics—September 2013
UPS‘s recent announcement that it will expand its presence in China with the addition of two new contract logistics facilities in Chengdu and Shanghai is indicative of the country’s growing consumer base. The two centers will provide distribution and warehousing solutions to shippers who want to reach customers within China.
The expansions follow the opening of two UPS healthcare facilities in Shanghai and Hangzhou during 2012.
The non-bonded DCs in Chengdu and Shanghai are strategically located in close proximity to international airports and major road networks. Built with capabilities to support a diverse range of Chinese industries—primarily high-tech, industrial manufacturing, aerospace, and retail—customers will also have connectivity to UPS’s global IT platforms for distribution and post-sales support.
The new facilities are considered a major part of UPS’s efforts to develop a national distribution network in China, and strengthen the company’s overall portfolio of international capabilities.
Increased government spending on infrastructure, and more involvement from the private sector in key projects through public-private partnerships, are catalyzing growth in India’s logistics sector. Currently valued at $125 billion, that figure will approach $200 billion by 2020, according to Sarvey Sathyanarayana, India’s minister of state for road transport.
India’s logistics sector is projected to grow 10 to 12 percent annually for the next three years. Generating skilled labor, implementing technology, and improving infrastructure are three keys to success.
These efforts are a positive sign, given India’s poor record on transportation. The government recently accelerated various road projects around the country in an effort to break through notoriously slow bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Who says globalization is dead? While the trend toward supply chain decentralization has become a common strategy for multinationals looking to increase demand responsiveness and reduce total logistics costs, sometimes global control takes precedence.
One example is Marine Harvest, the world’s largest producer of farmed salmon. To improve product pricing and traceability, the Norwegian seafood company is deploying logistics technology provider Infor‘s process management and supply chain systems.
With production and farming facilities located in Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Chile, and operations spanning three continents and 23 countries, Marine Harvest has begun a complete business process reengineering project designed to move away from a decentralized, regional structure to a global business template. By integrating Infor M3 with Infor Supply Chain Planning, Marine Harvest hopes to improve visibility into future demand from three to six weeks to three years.
Marine Harvest will deploy the process and supply chain applications in a phased roll-out. The final site is expected to go live in April 2014, with a goal of driving growth by improving demand visibility.
U.S. imports of solar panels from China have slowly been on the rise in 2013, after increased duties last year caused a freefall in imports. Even with the recent increase, imports of solar panels are still down more than 70 percent year over year.
Source: Zepol Corporation


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Anyone that has frequented The Broadway Market over the last few decades can tell you that the market is in need of some updates. It all starts with the facade – if you have ever visited a market of this type in another city, chances are that it has some style and charm, whether it’s a modern facade or one with a rustic appearance. Buffalo’s markets once retained this sort of charm, but over the years these qualities have been greatly diminished.
Markets should be intriguing and inviting. The Broadway Market is neither. For all intents and purposes, it’s bland and uninviting, which is unfortunate when you consider the history of the market and its host Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood.
Earlier this week, Empire State Development (ESD) announced that it has concluded with its final consultant recommendations that will ultimately address the shortcomings of the market, while enhancing the positive aspects that serve the community, including the new commercial kitchen and the rooftop garden, not to mention all of the notable vendors that have been holding down the fort over the years (both permanently and seasonally). We must also acknowledge and pay tribute to the market’s status as “one of the country’s oldest and largest city-owned public markets.”
“These recommendations—inspired by the successful revitalization of similar markets across the country—will help the Broadway Market proactively evolve as a year-round destination both locally and for visitors from across the region and beyond,” said Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler.
To date, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has committed $4 million to enhance the Broadway Market, via Buffalo Billion funds. Now, a five-to-10-year implementation of the plan will see the market transitioned into an ethnic and international market that will capitalize on Buffalo’s ongoing commitment towards becoming a welcoming and diverse city. To that end, the City will retain ownership of the market, but there will be a new non-profit entity that will lease the building and manage the market, which will be a favorable change.
Recommendations will include:
- Progressively utilizing the structure’s entire 547,000 square feet for market uses, which currently equates to just 6 percent of its floor area;
- Filling the market with fresh and ethnic food stalls and international groceries, as well as restaurants and prepared food stalls;
- Making the structure’s basement accessible and renovating it to serve the Market’s tenants by adding space for walk-in coolers, freezers, and storage, as well as building utilities, freeing up additional tenant space and for enticing displays;
- Addressing the street-level and allowing multiple points of entry with new restaurants and grocers that would activate and extend out along public sidewalk areas; and
- Replacing problematic escalators with new freight and passenger elevators and improving parking garage areas so they are bright, attractive, safe, and accessible.
Since ESD contracted with CJS Architects in March 2020, the team has worked with Public Market Development (PDM) and Developments by JEM to engage the community to get critical and productive feedback. Over 1000 people have contributed their thoughts and ideas throughout the process. Prior studies have also been taken into consideration.
The revamp of the market is projected to cost $44,431, 630 – a significant investment into the neighborhood that will hopefully create an investment ripple effect.
One day, the Broadway “International” Market will live up to its name, and its storied history. In the meantime, the public eagerly awaits the quantifying results that will demonstrate that the City is serious about this market, and the East Side.
Read the full “Buffalo’s Broadway International Market Business Plan” here.
The Broadway Market 999 Broadway Buffalo NY


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JAPAN: Seven-Eleven reports profits up, not so for Ito-Yokado
Japan's biggest convenience store chain Seven-Eleven has reported a first half net profit of ¥44.5bn (US$360.5m), up 4.1% from a year earlier.
Seven-Eleven Japan, which is 51% owned by Japanese retailer Ito-Yokado, also reported operating revenue of ¥212.90bn, up 8.8% year-on-year.
The company said the growth in sales and profits in the six months to August was down to new products.
Seven-Eleven Japan increased the number of stores it operates by 251 during the six-month period to a total of 9,367.
Ito-Yokado, however, reported a net profit of ¥6.8bn, a fall of 80.9% from a year earlier. The drop in profit was reported to be due to a one-off loss linked to the discount unit Daikuma.
- US food next wave on display at Winter Fancy Food
- Does Kraft Heinz want to swallow Unilever whole?
- Comment: Meal kits in US - don't believe the hype
- How General Mills plans to grow - CAGNY
- Focus: Nestle CEO plan to balance sales, earnings
- Unilever launches operational review
- Kraft Heinz pulls Unilever bid
- Kerry operating earnings strengthen on slow sales
- Glanbia focuses on nutrition with Irish dairy spin
- General Mills issues profit warning


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Reverse logistics — the management and movement of returned goods — is one of the most significant systems in the economy, as it affects people and businesses in myriad ways, for example, post-holiday season when a high volume of gift returns are common.January 11, 2024
ORLANDO, Fla. — Third-party logistics providers remain poised for long-term success after helping shippers navigate supply chain turmoil wrought by the pandemic, industry leaders said.April 22, 2023
As the 3PL industry continues to grow, so, too, does Transport Topics' annual ranking of the largest logistics companies in North America, this year expanding from 50 to 100 companies.April 8, 2022
Strong consumer demand, continued supply chain bottlenecks and tight carrier capacity sent air, ground and ocean transportation rates soaring to historic levels in 2021 as shippers leaned on third-party logistics providers to bolster inventories and avoid product stockouts.
The past two years have been difficult ones for shippers to move their freight. But times like these are when logistics providers can most clearly demonstrate the value they bring to their business partners.April 8, 2022
Cargo Chief, which provides a carrier integration platform for 3PLs, announced it has raised more than $2.5 million, according to a Jan. 25 press release.January 31, 2019
GlobalTranz Enterprises Inc., a third-party logistics service provider, has acquired California-based freight brokerage and logistics company Our Freight Guy.January 29, 2019
Third-party logistics firms saw total shipments rise in the fourth quarter of 2017, sending revenue and invoice amount-per shipment values jumping, but not enough to improve profits, according to the 3PL Market Report from the Transportation Intermediaries Association.


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WindowsUnited.de reports that the Green Nokia Lumia 1520 is now on sale in Germany.
The 6 inch phablet has been exclusive to AT&T since April 2014 but seems finally to have made its way across the Atlantic.
The device, which is EU-localized, is selling for only € 419, which is relatively cheap for a Snapdragon 800 device, and may be Microsoft Mobile’s effort to counter the lack of a new high-end device for the holiday season.
With a SnapDragon 800 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage with microSD card expansion, a full HD screen and 20 megapixel camera the device still remains a great buy, and be found at notebooksbilliger.de here.
Thanks Maurice for the tip.


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Dangerous chemicals in our crops
LiveTheLifeinEcuador | October 21, 2015
Earlier this year, a herbicide called glyphosate was declared “probable human carcinogen” by the United Nation’s International Agency for Research on Cancer. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the broad-spectrum systemic herbicide Roundup, the most popular lawn and garden weed killer in the United States.
Glyphosate is also used in corn, soy, and cotton farms throughout the country.
Around 5 million acres of California farms that grow onions, sweet corn, grapes, citrus, almonds, and other consumer crops have also been infused with glyphosate in the quest to rid agriculture of weed.
A recent study by the same UN agency found glyphosate in the blood and urine of farm workers. The agency suggests an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chromosomal damage,, and tumor growth after exposure to the chemical.
Though no solid link between glyphosate and cancer has yet been established, many experts believe that prolonged exposure even to low levels -significantly increases a person’s risk of developing cancer.
Other potentially dangerous substances like pesticide and bt-toxins are also known to be present in with many of the crops grown throughout the US.
Organic farming in Ecuador
The same can’t be said of Ecuador, which is blessed with some of the richest volcanic soil in the world.
Its natural fertility makes it ideal for growing everything, including plants that nurture the insects that attack pests.
Combined with plentiful sun, pleasant climate and abundant fresh water, crops are grown naturally throughout Ecuador without harmful chemicals.
Among the many kinds of crops grown naturally and in abundance in Ecuador are peppers, coffee, cacao, corn, lime, papaya, watermelons, and potatoes.
No wonder the popularity of organic farming is currently at an all-time high, with many farms opening their doors (or fences) to volunteers from all over the world eager to learn Ecuador’s lessons.
When we turn our backs to glyphosate, we not only gain wealth in savings, but distance from ill health and cancer as well.
LIVETHELIFE offers farm fresh delivery for residents. For more info, visit this page.


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Apr 22, 2021
E-commerce retail is at an all-time high, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest quarterly report. Total e-commerce sales for 2020 were estimated at $791.7 billion, an increase of 32.4% (±1.8%) from 2019.
While this isn’t exactly unexpected, the COVID-19 pandemic has only sped up e-commerce trends that were already taking place. And that means distribution warehouses — and the workers and technology that power them — are in the spotlight.
This has more companies considering how to best capitalize on this demand, and automated robotics are taking the storage and distribution game to new heights — literally.
Feb 6, 2020
In previous blog posts, we’ve discussed that owners of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) refrigeration systems have some decisions to make as R22 refrigerant is phased out and states take on regulations and enforcement.
Natural refrigerants, like CO2 or ammonia, are good alternatives, but they can sometimes get a bad rap. We’ve debunked some myths about CO2 before — now let’s look at ammonia.
Read the top takeaways from CBRE’s new research report
Dec 12, 2019
Source: CBRE’s latest research report
Growth in online grocery sales is stoking demand for cold storage facilities across the United States, according to a new research report from CBRE. The real estate services and investment firm found that up to 100 million square feet of additional capacity is needed to meet online sales through 2022.
However, the cost and complexity of cold storage construction could make meeting that demand difficult. The resulting shortage will likely cause cold storage to become an even more coveted real estate asset – and those willing to invest in the market stand to reap major rewards.
Read below for the top insights from CBRE’s latest cold storage report.
Sep 6, 2018
What is packaged refrigeration?
Low-charge packaged refrigeration systems are “packaged” or “modular.” The refrigeration equipment is built off site, mounted on a structural steel base (skid), and then delivered to your plant as a self-contained, “plug-and-play” system.
Not only is low-charge packaged refrigeration equipment safer, it also comes with advantages in terms of:
- Field labor savings
- Schedule savings
Aug 30, 2018
Low-charge packaged refrigeration is a safe, innovative solution that uses CO2 or ammonia and a secondary refrigerant, such as glycol. This allows facilities to reap the benefits of ammonia’s excellent thermodynamic properties while minimizing the refrigerant charge and risk because the ammonia is isolated to one area and only the secondary refrigerant is circulated throughout the facility.
The system is “packaged” or “modular,” with refrigeration equipment built off-site, mounted on a structural steel base, and then delivered to a plant as a self-contained, “plug-and-play” system.
One of the major advantages of a packaged refrigeration system is ease of installation. Here are some of the main reasons why:
Aug 9, 2018
At Stellar, we construct a lot of cold storage facilities and distribution centers. In fact, over the years we’ve designed and built more than 10 million square feet of public refrigerated warehouse space.
My point? We notice patterns in consumer demand, common challenges and external factors that influence the market as a whole.
Here are six of the top things affecting the cold storage construction industry right now.


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According to a Bitcoinist report on January 6, Apple's next-generation iPhone series models have attracted everyone's attention. The new iPhone 12 Pro is expected to be released in September this year. Evaluation site PocketLint expects several new features to be added to this series of phones. Will Apple enter the field of encrypted mobile phones this year and compete with its main competitor Samsung?
Image source: pixabay
iPhone could enter the crypto space
Will Apple really move into the crypto space? This biggest problem remains unknown. The iPhone can of course launch a mobile wallet, which is a basic way of cryptocurrency. But these devices are designed to protect themselves from other encryption-related activities.
In the early days, Apple discouraged mobile-based cryptocurrency mining. The Apple Store is the most popular application hosting library and is fully capable of blocking the distribution of crypto-related applications. But there is a feature in the Apple Development Kit that suggests that Apple is moving towards private-public key encryption.
Built-in encryption component and private key hardware storage function
Apple Crypto Kit is a built-in feature that provides basic key operations. Although this method goes beyond blockchain or cryptocurrencies, it is still a tool to prompt self-signature and achieve cryptographic security.
Apple's Crypto Kit is an advanced encryption and key signing service that can be integrated into applications. But it remains to be seen whether this feature will generate new interest in crypto applications.
Encrypted smartphones have also appeared in the past, but Apple's products are the most sought after. Obtaining basic encryption features may change the rules of the game for self-ownership and data protection. Still, Apple seems to be holding its ground, not allowing any crypto-related applications to enter its store.
So far, Samsung and HTC have enhanced their position in the crypto space by adding wallet functions and built-in key storage to their new series of phones. Samsung Galaxy S10 is the South Korean technology giant's first integrated product in the cryptocurrency field, which has caused a huge response in emerging markets.
Apple's iPhone also has a similar feature called Secure Enclave, which is a separate component for storing private keys without exposing private keys in other data exchanges. In fact, this feature makes the iPhone a secure hardware wallet. This extends the wallet's ability to use private keys in standard memory.
It is rumored that the iPhone 12 series will have four modifications. The design may bring many surprising changes, and the camera may also bring new surprises. But as a powerful encryption tool, its greatest sense of technology is really interesting.


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Welcome to the new CommScope.com experience. Need help? Get Help
This week, Tom Cloonan, ARRIS’s Chief Technology Officer, Network Solutions, was featured as one of Multichannel News’ Technology Executives of 2014 for his pioneering role in modern broadband technology and his ongoing contributions to the advancement of DOCSIS 3.1 and CCAP.
Separately, a number of outlets, including CED, covered this week’s news that Net2TV Corp.’s free, ad-supported streaming service, Portico TV will be offered on ARRIS set-tops with the recently launched ARRIS Market.
Also, FierceCable editor Daniel Frankel highlighted the growing awareness and adoption of 4K/Ultra HD technology, a topic he’ll discuss alongside ARRIS Engineering Fellow Sean McCarthy and other industry executives at the FierceCable executive breakfast during CES in January.
In other industry news, Engadgetreported that, according to research from Ofcom, broadband usage is increasing in the UK, but the needed connection speeds to support the growing consumption are still unavailable to 15 percent of UK homes.
Finally, Advanced Television covered the results of Strategy Analytics’ Connected Home Devices service report, which found that U.S. ownership of Connected TV devices (smart TVs, digital media streamers, etc.) grew 28 percent year-over-year to reach 168 million units.
Check back next week for the latest industry news.
- Jack of All Broadband] Trades (Dec. 8) By Jeff Baumgartner, Multichannel News: As the chief technology officer, network solutions, at ARRIS, Tom Cloonan plays an integral role in building the fabric of cable’s broadband future, whether it’s one that will be woven with next-generation hybrid fiber coaxial technologies like DOCSIS 3.1, new wireless broadband platforms, or, in some targeted situations, all-fiber infrastructures.
- ARRIS stocks OTT Market with Portico TV (Dec.11) By Mike Robuck, CED: Starting early next year, ARRIS will add N2TV’s streaming TV service, which is called Portico TV, to its over-the-top streaming platform for cable operators.
- Ready or not, 4K is coming ... and you need a roadmap (Dec. 11) By Daniel Frankel, FierceCable: As anyone involved in the launch of HD a decade ago can tell you, getting a new resolution standard into the consumer mainstream isn't easy.
- Brits double their broadband data usage, but speeds are still an issue (Dec. 8) By Nick Summers, Engadget: Broadband usage is soaring in the UK, but the companies piping it into our homes are still playing catch-up. That's according to Ofcom, which looked into the state of connections across Britain.
- Connected TV device ownership up 28% in US (Dec. 11) By Staff Writer, Advanced Television: Ownership of Connected TV devices (including smart TVs, smart Blu-ray players, IP-enabled game consoles and digital media streamers) in the US grew 5 per cent quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2014 and 28 per cent year-on-year to reach 168 million units.


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The utility company Electric Ireland has announced it is increasing electricity prices from August 1.
The company said electricity prices would be rising In Northern Ireland by 10.2 per cent. They said this would see an increase of approximately £1.14 per week on an average residential electricity bill.
Electric Ireland said the rise was as a result of an increase in wholesale energy costs.
The company added they were “determined” to keep prices as low as possible but were impacted by “the price at which we buy electricity”.
Clare McAllister, Residential Manager NI, Electric Ireland commented: “We are always determined to keep costs for our customers as low as possible and have sought to protect them from increases in wholesale energy costs where we can. However, continued increases in wholesale prices mean that we must reluctantly apply a rise at this time.
“We understand this may be a difficult time financially for some customers and we would like to assure them that we are here to help. We would encourage anyone who is having trouble paying bills to contact us and we will support them with an affordable payment plan over the coming months.
“At Electric Ireland we remain committed to providing as competitive a rate as possible and exemplary customer care and service.”
The company said prices would also rise in the Republic of Ireland, with electricity prices there rising by 9% and residential gas prices increasing by 7.8%.
The Consumer Council said the typical Electric Ireland customer will see their bill rise by around £60 per year.
Raymond Gormley, Interim Head of Energy Policy at The Consumer Council, said: “This is very unwelcome news for all Electric Ireland customers especially considering it is the second increase in six months. This increase will adversely impact consumers who are already experiencing financial pressures on their household budgets.
“However, we are aware this increase is due to the continuing rise of wholesale energy costs. Any customers who are struggling to pay their bill should contact Electric Ireland without delay to discuss their available options.
“The Consumer Council would encourage all consumers to shop around to ensure they are on the best energy deal. To support consumers in the switching process, our website has a free independent energy price comparison tool which empowers consumers to compare all electricity and gas tariffs across Northern Ireland in one place.
"In the last year over 72,000 consumers have used this tool to get the best deal. Electric Ireland has confirmed that any customers who choose to switch to another supplier before 1 August 2021 will not be charged.
The Consumer Council said their website has a number of free resources to help customers.
Consumers can also get in touch with The Consumer Council for free independent advice by calling Freephone 0800 121 6022 or by emailing firstname.lastname@example.org.


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Walgreen Co. on Monday replaced longtime chief financial officer Wade Miquelon with Timothy McLevish, who held the same position at Kraft Foods Group Inc.
The move, effective immediately, comes days before the Deerfield-based pharmacy chain prepares to announce its final plans on a projected $16 billion acquisition to complete the takeover of European counterpart Alliance Boots GmbH.
Walgreen executives are expected to detail the final timing, structure, management team and corporate home of the new company to investors as soon as this week, though analysts think the company may push back the timing to give McLevish a better opportunity to immerse himself in the business.
Miquelon is the second top Walgreen executive to depart the company in the run-up to the Alliance Boots decision. Kermit Crawford, Walgreen's president of pharmacy, health and wellness, said late last month that he would retire after 31 years with the company.
"Obviously, they are getting ready to go through their strategic plan with investors by the end of this month, and this may give a boost to investors who have some misgivings about management," said Vishnu Lekraj, an analyst with Morningstar. "I don't necessarily have a strong opinion on the matter, but I do know that some major shareholders did. Thus, this may be a move toward remedying a lack of confidence with part" of the Walgreen management team.
McLevish, who joined Kraft as CFO and executive vice president in 2007, led the company's 2012 split into Kraft Foods Group and Mondelez International. He left Kraft this year, after handing the CFO role to Teri List-Stoll in late December.
McLevish's appointment comes amid a period of vast upheaval for Walgreen, which is weighing moving its official corporate headquarters to either the United Kingdom or Switzerland to take advantage of a lower corporate tax rate.
In recent weeks, the company has come under increasing pressure from activists and politicians to keep its tax base in the United States instead of going through with a so-called inversion, a maneuver that could add hundreds of millions of dollars to its bottom line annually.
In late June, Walgreen said it was working with Alliance Boots executives to determine the final structure the company would take after the acquisition is complete and would update investors in a special call in late July or early August.
Miquelon, who also served as Walgreen's president of international operations and holds a seat on the Alliance Boots board, was a key player in those conversations. He will vacate his position on the Boots board upon leaving Walgreen, a Walgreen spokesman said.
The circumstances of his departure are unclear, though Walgreen characterized the split as amicable. Reached over the weekend, Miquelon declined to address why he was leaving the company.
"I think my record speaks for itself, as it always has," he told the Tribune.
Miquelon, who has been Walgreen's CFO since June 2008, will remain with the company as an adviser during its transition with Alliance Boots. The arrangement is similar to that of Crawford, who will serve as a "senior counselor" to Walgreen CEO Greg Wasson until he leaves the company Dec. 31.
From there, he "will move forward to pursue several new opportunities outside of the company," Walgreen said in a release. He will receive a separation package, terms of which Walgreen declined to disclose.
McLevish, who also served as CFO for the industrial company Ingersoll Rand and Mead Corp., a paper products company, will lead all of Walgreen's finance functions.
He "has a successful track record guiding the integration of acquisitions on a global basis," Andrew Wolf, an analyst with BB&T Capital Markets, said in a note to clients.
In a release, Wasson said Walgreen and Alliance Boots "will benefit not only from his deep and rich experience in the consumer products market, but also from his experience in bringing together companies to ensure efficient, effective and profitable growth and value creation."
McLevish, a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a master's degree from Harvard University, said it "is a privilege to join such an admirable company, especially at this exciting and pivotal time as Walgreens expands to become a global enterprise."
He takes the reins from Miquelon, who has been a polarizing figure inside Walgreen and among analysts, facing considerable criticism and praise in recent years.
While he helped Walgreen broker the deal with Alliance Boots and a subsequent partnership with AmerisourceBergen, he also was seen as leading the charge over Walgreen's controversial and protracted spat with Express Scripts Holdings Inc., one of its biggest customers, a decision that cost the company billions of dollars.
Miquelon also made headlines for two arrests for suspicion of driving under the influence, the latest of which came in 2010. He was never convicted.
"It's been one of the greatest privileges and pleasures of my career to help (Wasson) and the team to bring this iconic American company to the brink of becoming a fully global" company, Miquelon said in a statement. "Now that we are preparing to move forward with bringing together these two iconic brands, it's the right time for me to transition to new challenges and new opportunities."
Wasson, whose leadership of the company also has come under scrutiny as the Alliance Boots deal approaches, said in a statement that Miquelon "has been a strong contributor."


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There are several companies ready to bid for BlackBerry, that is up for sale apparently, although recently they’ve been aided financially by a financing company. Among the bidders we find big names like Google and Samsung, but also stranger candidates like Intel.
If you ask me, being bought by another company is the only way BB will afford to make more tablets. We praised the first PlayBook in our review here, but since then the company’s slates have been pretty much nonexistent. The market is in need of a solid enterprise tablet and Microsoft just won’t do it anymore.
BlackBerry is a popular handset among state officials and those may need a tablet some day, to fulfill their needs. Google now offers a solid email and cloud package, that could be reinforced by BlackBerry’s huge servers and services. Also, BB has some interesting patents to offer, yet another reason for the purchase. By the way, BB 10 OS is not bad at all and would look great on the big screen… So, Samsung or Google?


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Blue Tees Golf Signs Distribution Agreement with Platinum Golf Supplies
Platinum Golf Supplies to distribute Blue Tees Golf rangefinders and accessories in the Australian and New Zealand markets
Blue Tees Golf, a rapidly growing golf technology company producing golf rangefinders and accessories, announced today its exclusive agreement with Platinum Golf Supplies as the key supplier in Australia and New Zealand.
Platinum Golf Supplies was launched by golf industry veteran Patrick Cato who identified a need in the marketplace for quality golf products at an affordable price. After a decade and a half Cato has developed a distribution company to fill this void.
“Platinum Golf Supplies continues to grow as we bring in new premium golf products that are reasonable priced to both Australia and the New Zealand markets, and this includes our latest brand to join our stable, Blue Tees Golf,” said Cato. “Our initial traction with Blue Tees Golf at wholesale and retail is remarkable. We contribute this to the performance factors of Blue Tees Golf in the Distance Measuring category, and again, to its affordability.”
“Partnering with Platinum Golf Supplies is inherent for Blue Tees Golf and our global growth. Australia and New Zealand golf markets are thriving,” said Blue Tees Vice President of Sales Taylor Herber. “We want to reach these golfers and who better than Patrick Cato? He’s a golf industry expert who has spent years developing relationships with both green grass and specialty retailers.”
He added, “We look forward to a long and successful partnership.”
Blue Tees Golf is different than traditional brands. By utilizing a consumer first strategy and their industrial design expertise, they can cut out complex operations to create high-quality, high-performance golf products at a fraction of the price of the competition. All Blue Tees Golf products come with a 60-day money back satisfaction guarantee, and a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. The Blue Tees Golf motto, “Save your money & have fun when you play more rounds with Blue Tees Golf on your bag. For more information, visit www.blueteesgolf.com


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The scams stem from cash app’s own practice of regular cash giveaways to its users, narang told quartz. If you are asked or forced to use bitcoin atm in order to deposit cash and scan a given to you qr code — please stop.
In 2018, square also introduced the ability for people to transact in bitcoin on cash app.
Bitcoin cash app scams. Advantage of using cryptocurrency atm’s is that they are the easiest bridge between old traditional fiat world (accept cash banknotes) and transform to cryptocurrency. The cash app told us it almost always deals with users via email, rarely, if ever, on the phone, and email comes from specific addresses that end with cash.app, square.com, or squareup.com. Familiarize yourself with some of the most commonly observed bitcoin scams to help protect yourself and your finances.
We have seen numerous websites, with similar names all offering the same product. Cash app scammers are seeking to capitalize on #cashappfriday, researchers from tenable say, via instagram and youtube, with $10 to $1,000 being stolen from victims. Bitcoin exchange scams have been occurring, as have a number of bitcoin mining investment scams that turned out to be ponzi schemes.
Cash app friday is an enigmatic phenomenon that the company doesn’t reveal much about. That has made it easier to move illicit gains off the app because bitcoin can be sent to anonymous. From cash app to bitcoin to gpv:
Cash app is a popular platform that now has surpassed 25 million monthly active users. This is a scam, and you will lose all money. Facebook twitter linkedin by joe liebkind.
It is actually a “funnel” to connect you with a dubious crypto cfd broker. If this happens and you think another cash app user is trying to scam you, our suggestion is to send an email to cash app support or call the support number (found below). Two cash app scams you need to avoid today.
Cash app friday began as a. He did it with mainstream investments. Waiting for square’s 3q earnings report.
Bitcoin proponent twitter ceo jack dorsey's cash app seized the funds of a user who was using it to buy bitcoin. Most cash app transactions involve at least two parties. Bitcoin scammers are using this app to fleece people.
With the addition of revenue generation, stock and bitcoin trading, cash card, etc…cashapp became a target for con artists who are constantly trying to find a “way into” the very popular app. But the principle of a pyramid scheme, in which you take money from new investors to pay previous investors, can be applied to bitcoin scams.in 2019, three men were arrested in a $722 million cryptocurrency fraud scheme. A review of bitcoin cash grab is very simple to do, because it is not an actual working trading app.
The cash app is an app that facilitates the buying and selling of bitcoin. It’s a mobile payment system developed by square, inc., which allows users to make financial transfers from one mobile phone to another. There are many ways that scammers can attack cashapp users.
Phishing websites may also appear as sponsored results on search engines or in app marketplaces used by. Ftc sending more than $470k to people duped by bitcoin funding team, my7network scams. But where is the product?
Beware of these 5 bitcoin scams. Some will entice users with promotional offers that sound too good to be true. The crypto user took to twitter to share their grievance that they have been a use
More features were added in 2015 and 2016. In a similar vein to phishing scams, keep an eye out for fake bitcoin exchanges. Bitcoin’s meteoric rise in prices in 2017 awakened mainstream interest in the original.
Protect your money from scams, cash flips, and phishing on cash app. There are users on cash app who might try to impersonate other people, request money from you, or chargeback money. There have been (and undoubtedly will be) nearly countless bitcoin scams, but these frauds make the list of the top 7 worst bitcoin scams to date.
Bitcoin.org is a community funded project, donations are appreciated and used to improve the website.


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KLM to suspend tax-free sales on board
From July 2019, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will no longer offer tax-free articles for sale on its European flights. In January of 2020, it will suspend sales on intercontinental flights as well. As a result of new developments such as the rise of e-commerce, sales on board no longer meet customer needs. Instead, KLM is exploring alternative forms of travel retail.
“Because the current sales process no longer meet today's customer requirements, we have decided, after extensive deliberation, to bring this to an end,” says Miriam Kartman, Executive Vice President, KLM Inflight Services. “As a result, passengers on our European flights will no longer be able to buy tax-free articles on board from July 2019 and from January 2020 on our intercontinental flights.”
For decades now, KLM has been meeting customer needs by offering tax-free articles, both online and on board. More recently, however, customers have grown accustomed to an almost infinite range of products for which they can look up the lowest price online. Competition with product ranges at the airports is also growing.
KLM is currently exploring alternative forms of travel retail concept. “We will shortly be launching several pilot projects to this end. Customer convenience and a wide range of products are central to this,” Ms. Kartman says.


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In documents filed November 15 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Toys ‘R’ Us revealed a novel approach to working its way out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Lawyers for the company asked the judge to approve $32 million in bonuses for CEO David Brandon and 16 other senior members of the company’s management team. Brandon would receive $12 million, with the other executives dividing the remaining $20 million, according to a report on Axios.
The executives would be required to reach certain financial targets to receive the full benefits, but the court filing asks for guarantees of $16 million in bonuses for Brandon and the other senior management employees, even if those goals are not met.
The bonuses, if approved, would be added to the $2.8 million bonus Toys ‘R’ Us gave Brandon and an additional $5.4 million it awarded to others in top management just before it filed for bankruptcy on September 18.
The suggestion that the bonuses are needed follows a quarter in which Toys ‘R’ Us posted $164 million in losses.
The request for the bonuses began with a mention of “the importance of Toys ‘R’ Us employees,” but quickly made it clear it was not referring to the people who stock shelves and man the cash registers at their retail outlets, when the phrase “more particularly the senior management team” was added.
The reason the $32 million in incentives is needed, accorded to the court filing is “to ensure these key members of the debtor’s management team are properly incentivized to meet the significant challenges upon us.”
The “incentives” would “benefit all stakeholders,” according to the filing.
Toys ‘R’ Us filed for bankruptcy after amassing more than $5 billion in debt, according to the original petition. Company officials promised to keep their approximately 1,600 Toys ‘R’ Us and Babies ‘R’ Us stores open through the holiday season. The company has not been profitable for the past five years.
Losses have been growing in recent years due to competition from retail giants such as Walmart and Amazon.
The company has doubled down on emphasizing its brick-and-mortar sales this year, beginning the holiday shopping season with a 30-hour Black Friday sale beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, but many of the sales items were also made available beginning Wednesday on the company’s website.
A company news release indicates that Toys ‘R’ Us will also offer specials following Black Friday, including many during Cyber Week.
[Feature Image by Eric Gay/AP Images]


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Brazil's inflation eases, bolstering case for rate cut
- Top 10 News for 9/19 - 9/23: Twitter on the Auction Block; Allergan Bolsters NASH Effort; Microsoft Returns Value
- Wall Street falls as energy lags; shares post gains on week
- Rumored Forever, Twitter (TWTR) May Have Finally Put the 'For Sale' Sign Up
- Facebook (FB) Shares Under Pressure on Reports Video Ad Metrics Were Artificially Inflated
- Brookfield Infrastructure (BIP)-Led Consortium to Take Controlling Stake in Petrobras' (PBR) NTS for $5.2B
A woman passes by food displayed at a market in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 24, 2015. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares
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By Silvio Cascione
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's inflation rate eased more than expected in mid-September as food prices fell, underscoring bets on an imminent interest rate cut by the central bank.
Consumer prices as measured by the IPCA-15 index
In the 12 months through mid-September, consumer prices rose 8.78 percent
Although the 12-month inflation rate remained far above the official 4.5 percent target, the fast decline added to signs that companies are increasingly refraining from raising prices in the midst of a severe recession.
Yields on interest rate futures <0#2DIJ:> were down, signaling a 90-percent likelihood of a rate cut on October 19 by the central bank. The bank has held its benchmark rate steady at 14.25 percent, its highest in a decade, but signaled it could start easing soon if inflation expectations fell.
Food prices edged 0.01 percent down in the month to mid-September after a 0.78 percent increase in mid-August. Food prices had been rising at a surprisingly fast rate in previous months, partly due to bad crop weather.
Transportation and communication prices also dropped, while the cost of personal expenses and healthcare rose.
(Reporting by Silvio Cascione; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
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- Meta Platforms, Inc. is the king of social media and reported steady user growth of 4.9% across its Family of Apps which had 2.96 billion daily active people in Q4,22.
- The company beat revenue estimates for Q4, and increased its revenue by 16% sequentially despite a 4.5% decline year-over-year.
- Meta has approximately 2 billion monthly active users on WhatsApp which are not currently being monetized.
- My conservative estimate of a $5/month subscription model which 5% of users signed up to could generate an extra $6 billion per year for the company, on an enhanced version of WhatsApp with extra features.
- My discounted cash flow valuation model indicates Meta Platforms, Inc. stock is undervalued intrinsically and its billions of dollars invested into the Metaverse are not being priced in.
Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is the leading social media giant which, of course, owns Facebook, Instagram, etc. The company has been untouchable for over a decade, and even benefited from the lockdown of 2020 as the use of social media accelerated. However, since the start of 2022, the company has faced challenges after initially reporting a slowdown in both user growth and revenue, which was driven by the macroeconomic environment as well as technical issues and increasing competition.
The good news for Meta is that in Q4 2022 the company reported an improvement in its revenue as it beat analyst forecasts and increased sequentially. Meta also reported continued growth in its monthly active users (“MAU”), which is a solid positive. I believe the market is not fully appreciating this or the fact that Meta owns WhatsApp, which has ~2 billion monthly active users and is only at the early stage of being monetized. Meta also announced a staggering $10.9 billion buybacks in Q4 2022 and increased its stock repurchase authorization to $40 billion. In this post I’m going to break down Meta’s financials for the fourth quarter, the user growth trends, its potential with WhatsApp, as well as the company’s valuation, let’s dive in.
Mixed Fourth Quarter Financial Results
Meta reported mixed financial results for the fourth quarter of 2022. Its revenue was $32.17 billion, which beat analyst expectations by $475 million and increased by 16% quarter-over-quarter. However, it should be noted that the company’s revenue is still down 4.5% year-over-year from the $33.67 billion reported in Q4,2021. This was driven by a decline in its advertising revenue, which was $31.254 billion in Q4,22, down from the $32.639 billion reported in Q4,21. This was caused mainly by the “recessionary” macroeconomic environment which has caused advertisers to pull back advertising spend. This is an industry-wide occurrence, and Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) (the second major advertising giant) reported a similar dynamic in its last earnings report. The good news is this dynamic is usually cyclical by nature and, thus, I don’t deem it to affect Meta negatively long term.
Another point worth mentioning, is that Meta has previously experienced issues monetizing its “Reels” format, which is the equivalent of TikTok short-form videos. As more users watched reels, this took away attention and thus advertising revenue from Meta’s traditional post feed and story feed posts. As someone who has previously ran a digital marketing agency with multimillion dollar Facebook/Instagram advertising campaigns, I saw this dynamic firsthand with clients. Meta is continuously adjusting its algorithms and initially favored Reels to boost engagement. However, due to the monetization issues and “outrage” from iconic Instagram users such as Kim Kardashian, and a Change.org petition which racked up over 50,000 signatures, Meta caved to the pressure.
You will notice on the above chart that Meta reported $27.237 billion in advertising revenue for Q3,22 (when it was testing this feature) and this actually increased to $31.254 billion in Q4,22, after Instagram adjusted its algorithm. In addition, this boost was likely helped by seasonal advertising tailwinds spurred on by the holiday shopping season. Personally, I don’t think Meta favoring “Reels” was a bad experiment at all, as despite the uproar from users and Wall Street, the video “shorts” format is becoming increasingly popular. Competitor TikTok specializes in this format and has grown its user base rapidly to an estimated 1.53 billion, with over 1 billion being monthly active users.
By comparison, Instagram (owned by Meta) has ~2 billion monthly active users. YouTube (owned by Alphabet) also previously announced its “Shorts” format, which racked up 30 billion daily views and had 1.5 billion monthly active users in Q3,22. However, YouTube also experienced similar monetization issues, and thus I believe this is a format/technology issue rather than specific to Meta, which in some respects is a positive sign. There has also been a lot of fear about increasing competition for Meta, and I will discuss that in the risks section. However, it should be noted that Meta has still continued to grow its monthly active users.
Its Family Daily Active People has increased from 2.82 billion in Q4,21 to 2.96 billion by Q4,22. This metric is also up sequentially quarter-over-quarter with 2.93 billion users reported in Q3,22. Therefore, theoretically if/when cyclical advertising revenue rebounds as economic conditions improve, Meta should report greater revenue as it has more users to monetize.
Note: Meta’s Family of Apps include Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
I also saw a similar dynamic for Facebook monthly active users, which increased from 2.912 billion in Q4,21 to 2.963 billion by Q4,22. This also increased sequentially quarter-over-quarter. A negative is mature markets such as the U.S. & Canada (black bar) reported flat user growth sequentially, with 266 million monthly active users. This could be a signal Facebook is feeling the negative effects from the competition and the platform is maturing. In my personal experience (as someone under 35), I don’t really use Facebook these days and most of my friends don’t, either (despite still having an account). Of course, this is not a large number of datapoints, but I believe there has been a demographic shift. The consensus is Facebook is now popular with “Boomers” while Instagram is engaging for millennial and TikTok for Gen Z, although this is a generalization as Meta does not publish its demographics. Despite this dynamic, Meta still has a strong place in the market, albeit with a different cohort.
The WhatsApp Opportunity
Meta acquired messenger App WhatsApp for ~$22 billion (in cash and stock), way back in 2014. Since that point, WhatsApp has grown to approximately 2 billion monthly active users, but Meta still hasn’t fully monetized this vast user base extensively. Personally, I believe this was a mistake by management, as leaving “cash on the table” only works during “good times.”
The good news for Meta is “necessity is usually the mother of invention,” and now that times are tough, monetizing WhatsApp has become more of a priority. I first alluded to this last year when I spotted WhatsApp “click to message” ads inside the Meta advertising platform. Since that point, Meta has grown this business substantially and it now has a “$10 billion run rate.” However, I believe this also includes “click to message” ads for Instagram and Messenger.
The company has also started to scale the WhatsApp business platform, which enables users to answer customer questions and sell product directly inside the chat. Previously, I have seen small businesses do this, but even major companies such as Air France (OTCPK:AFRAF) have begun to use WhatsApp to share flight information and boarding passes.
In the Q4,22 earnings call, CEO Mark Zuckerberg alluded to the fact that businesses tell them that “more people open their messages and they get better results on WhatsApp versus other channels.” This may not seem like a big deal, but a brands power is how well it can communicate with its customers. Think about how rammed your email inbox is, as over 347 billion emails sent each day and the majority go unopened. Therefore, WhatsApp could be used as a much more effective tool for business to customer communication. I recently spent some time in Dubai and found the majority of real estate agents use WhatsApp as a primary communication channel. Initially I found this intrusive, as I was used to email from realtors, however, there is no doubt I opened every message.
WhatsApp has also partnered with Salesforce (CRM), which now offers direct connection with the world’s largest customer relationship management [CRM] provider. In addition, Meta has launched a WhatsApp partnership with Indian based JioMart to enable “end to end shopping.” This enables users to buy groceries directly in the chat. I believe Meta could take inspiration from the “Super App” of China WeChat, which is like “WhatsApp on steroids.” On WeChat, users can book accommodation, a taxi similar to Uber, and much more. If Meta has this in its plans, the potential could be huge. I would love to see an Airbnb/Uber/Restaurant booking integration, but I’m not on the product team of Meta, so we will have to wait and see if management is savvy enough to execute product plans such as this.
It is hard to quantify exactly how much revenue WhatsApp could generate, but we can do an estimate if Meta offered increased functionality and then charged a small monthly subscription to its 2 billion users. We could estimate if 5% of its monthly active users (100 million people) paid $5/month that would be an extra $500 million per month! With three months in a quarter, that would be an extra $1.5 billion per quarter or $6 billion per year. Meta’s current revenue is $32.17 billion, and thus this would equate to a solid 18.5% increase, which isn’t bad. This also isn’t taking into account Meta’s current monetization strategy “click to message” ads. As a caveat to this, I don’t think Meta could charge much for its core WhatsApp platform as it stands, because there is competition with platforms such as Telegram, which has found a niche application in file sharing.
Metaverse (Reality Labs)
Meta is making a bold better on the “Metaverse,” which is expected to be a combination of Augmented Reality [AR], Virtual Reality [VR] and even social media technology. The company has been criticized for its plans to “waste billions” on the Metaverse, as it seems unrelated from its core business. I understand where investors are coming from, but I actually believe these investments are more closely aligned than you may initially think. Web 2 is often considered to be social media, while Web 3 (VR, AR, Crypto, AI) is the next logical step in my eyes. In addition, Meta acquired the market leader in VR headsets Oculus in 2014 for around $2 billion, so it’s not completely random. There are still major technology and cultural challenges in this space and critics, but that is common in every new technology revolution. If you may recall, Amazon (AMZN) was previously criticized by the media for “wasting” millions of dollars to invest into the cloud and create AWS, which is now the key profit driver for the company.
Meta also showcased some pretty cool technology at its Connect day in 2022, such as “photorealistic avatars” and even an AR wristband which controls smart glasses. In its earnings call for Q4,22, Meta reported there were over 200 apps on its VR devices which have made over $1 million in revenue. This is a good start for Meta as it aims to build the “next computing platform.”
Reality Labs (which includes Oculus) is still not a major revenue driver, with $727 million reported in Q4,22. This was up sequentially by a rapid 155% over Q3,22 revenue of $285 million. However, it was down slightly year-over-year, which I believe is due to the cyclical decline in the gaming industry more than anything.
In this next section, I will discuss Meta’s profitability and expenses, including those related to the Metaverse.
Profitability and Expenses
For Q4,22, Meta reported $4.6 billion in net income, which is down an eye-watering 54.7% year-over-year. Its operating margin has also reduced from 37% in Q4,21 to 20% in Q4,22. Its EPS was $2.23, which missed analyst expectations by 21.14%, according to Google finance data.
Meta’s poor earnings results were driven by the decline in advertising revenue, as well as reel monetization issues. In addition, the company experienced a sharp (22.19%) increase in operating expenses from $21.086 billion in Q4,21 to $25.766 billion in Q4,22.
Breaking down expenses by segment, we can see its “cost of revenue” increased by 31.8% year-over-year to $8.336 billion. This was mainly driven by a “write-down” in data center assets, as well as growth in infrastructure costs. Overall I don’t deem this to be a major negative, as it is infrastructure-focused. Meta streamlined its workforce in Q4,22 and laid off 11,000 employees or 12.7% of its (86,400) total as a result of a strict cost-cutting program. However, as the company had to keep many employees on its payroll for a period of time due to legal reasons, this impacted three expense line items negatively. A positive for Meta is its G&A expenses actually declined by 7% year-over-year, which was a positive and demonstrates the operating leverage apparent in Meta’s business.
Research and Development [R&D] expenses also increased by a substantial 39% year-over-year, from $7 billion in Q4,21 to $9.7 billion in Q4,22. Again, headline news reports will just show “declining profits,” but R&D is an investment. Like any “investment,” a return is expected, and given Meta’s prior track record of strong returns (22.5% Return on Equity), at least some return should be expected, even if investors think the “Metaverse” is too far away. During a New York Times event interview in 2022, Zuckerberg mentioned he was investing 80% of its investment budget into its “core” applications, thus it is a misconception that he is “betting the company” on the Metaverse. Zuckerberg stated that only ~20% of investments are going towards Reality Labs and the Metaverse.
It should also be noted that Reality Labs reported an operating loss of $4.279 billion in Q4,22. This may look negative on the face of things, but I actually believe this expense is wrongly categorized financially or at least from a valuation standpoint. A large portion of this “loss” should really be categorized as a “capital expense,” not an operating expense. This is because “capital expenses” are those with a future expected payoff. For example, if a company invested $4 billion into building a factory for production, it would not record an operating loss from this investment.
You will see in the valuation section next, I “capitalize” R&D expenses by moving them over to the balance sheet. This is a valuation process I have been doing for around 5 years, and accounting regulations have finally started to catch up.
Meta has a solid balance sheet, with $14.68 billion in cash & cash equivalents and $26 billion in marketable securities. In addition, the company has $9.9 billion in long-term debt, which is manageable.
For Q1,2023, Meta guided for revenue of between $26 billion and $28.5 billion, which would represent just 2% growth year-over-year at the high end. This slow growth is expected to be driven by the “recessionary” environment and a pullback in advertising spend. However, as mentioned before, the advertising industry tends to be cyclical by nature, and as Meta has grown its users, I forecast its growth should improve in the future. In addition, Meta’s revenue is expected to be impacted by a 2% foreign exchange rate headwind.
I have plugged the latest financial data into my valuation model, which uses the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method of valuation. I have estimated revenue to decline by 5% for “next year” (2023 in my model). This is in line with the Q4,22 revenue decline rate of 4.5% and fairly conservative given Meta’s forecast for Q1,22. I expect continued pressure on the advertising market due to the recessionary environment as being the main headwind.
The good news is the advertising market tends to be cyclical, thus I have forecast a rebound in years 2 to 5 and thus 11% revenue growth per year. I am also expecting improved monetization of the reels format and continued growth in WhatsApp business messages. Although, to be conservative, I have estimated the full monetization potential of WhatsApp as that is unknown and unproven at this stage, thus I prefer to see it as an extra bonus.
As mentioned above, Meta has accelerated its investments into research and development, thus I have capitalized this expense. This has boosted the net operating margin slightly to 36.37% for the full year. I have also forecast a 42% operating margin in year 8. This may seem optimistic but it is really just a return to the operating margin in the second quarter of 2021. This is also slightly lower than the Q4,20 margin of 45.5%.
Meta has also lowered its expense outlook for 2023, with $89 billion to $95 million expected, down from $94 billion to $100 billion prior. This is due to lower payroll growth and includes a $1 billion restructuring charge related to its offices, which is likely a “one off” expense.
Given these factors, I get a fair value of $298.58 per share. META stock is trading at $153 per share (at the time of writing), and thus is nearly 49% undervalued, according to my forecasts and model.
Meta also trades at a forward Price to Earnings [P/E] ratio = 18, which is 20.84% cheaper than its 5-year average.
As mentioned above, Meta is now facing more competition in the social media space than ever with the rise of TikTok, which has over 1 billion monthly active users. In addition, the company faces competition from YouTube with its Shorts format, and even Twitter, as Elon Musk plans to launch video capabilities. These dynamics could impact growth rates and eat market share long term, although I don’t see them destroying Meta’s entire business yet. In 2023, many analysts have also forecast a recession, so I would expect advertising revenue to be muted for the year.
Meta Platforms, Inc. is still the king of social media and has a dominant advertising business with advanced capabilities. The company has reported a beat on its revenue estimates for Q4,22, despite a tough advertising backdrop. The positive for Meta Platforms, Inc. is these dynamics are likely to be temporary and the company has still been growing its monthly active users despite tough competition. Meta Platforms, Inc. stock is undervalued intrinsically according to my valuation model and estimates. Meta also has a huge opportunity with WhatsApp and of course the Metaverse. Thus, Meta Platforms, Inc. could be a great long-term investment.
Editor’s Note: This article discusses one or more securities that do not trade on a major U.S. exchange. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.
Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of META either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.